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04-21-2005, 10:24 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Glastonbury,
CT
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 1,387
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Not Ranked
Restoring a relic from the dark side?
Hi Everyone,
I just got back from my fathers house and I am smiling ear to ear. My parents are building a new house and it will be completed next month. With that said, my father has kept a 1976 Corvette in his garage unstarted for the last ten years and it will not be making the trip to the new house. I have begged him for years to let me buy the car, but he always said he was going to restore it. My father is not the type to be careful when parking cars for long periods of time, so needless to say "It's a mess". It will need new tires for starters and the seals in the motor are shot I'm sure, same for the tranny (4-speed). He decided to sell it to me today, cheap. Now when I looked at the car a few things came to mind. One, I'm sure it was parked with a fuel system full of fuel. Two, the U-joints have not moved in 10 years. Three, the shocks have not moved in 10 years. You get the picture. I plan on tearing the car down, but I am not sure what to replace or look out for in a rebuild like this. Structurally, it's very solid with no rust on the frame. The price was cheap and I have a few dollars to throw at it. I want to bring it back to stock and make it safe for my wife to drive. Any thoughts?
--Mike
Last edited by mj_duell; 04-21-2005 at 11:08 AM..
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04-21-2005, 11:12 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Jasper, GA,
GA
Cobra Make, Engine: Owned CSX 3121 1969-1975. Went to the dark side and bought a 'Vette. May yet repent and be saved.
Posts: 657
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Not Ranked
In spite of the obvious sentimental value, understand that 'Vettes of that era have minimal collectability. I wouldn't put a lot of money or sweat into that one.
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04-21-2005, 11:20 AM
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Senior Club Cobra Member
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 15,712
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Not Ranked
Sounds like a fun project at a nice price! I'd DRIVE it, right off the bat! Fill the tires with air, the carb with fresh fuel, check the water and oil and take that thing around the block!
Plenty of time to get down and dirty later, go for the "moment", drive it NOW. 
... and if the brakes don't work, don't let a little thing like that "slow you down"! Just downshift and use the e-brake for that "run around the block" smile thing.
Last edited by Excaliber; 04-21-2005 at 11:22 AM..
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04-21-2005, 11:27 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Glastonbury,
CT
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 1,387
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Not Ranked
marcocsx3121,
Yes, you are correct. When completed it will only be worth about 5-6 grand, if that. I plan on keeping it and if I have to sell it I will break even. That said, at least I have a new project that will only cost me a few dollars and my wife like the way the cars looks. Plus have an "Expendable" Vette around means I won't fret over every nick and cut like I do with the Cobra.
Excaliber,
I had the same thoughts but I shutter to think of what will happen to the motor, tranny, U-joints and the like. I don't think the carb will even work after sitting full of fuel this long. Who knows, I'll give it a shot!
--Mike |
04-22-2005, 09:40 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Flower Mound, TX,
tx
Cobra Make, Engine: Lonestar LS 427, Keith Craft 501,Toploader
Posts: 883
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Not Ranked
I would restore it kind of like the guy on the DIY channel. He took an older Corvette and just went through each system at a time,(i.e. suspension,brakes,engine). I would just change the oil on that engine and run it, then address any leaking.
Have fun,
Tim
__________________
" It ain't no big deal" 
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04-22-2005, 01:05 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Dadeville,
AL
Cobra Make, Engine: Sold my EM.
Posts: 2,459
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Not Ranked
You need to acquaint yourself with the CorvetteForum at: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/index.php? Look in the C3 section. You'll find a world of information.
__________________
Tommy
Cheetah tribute completed 2021 (TommysCars.Weebly.com)
Previously owned EM Cobra
"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." - Hanlon's Razor
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04-22-2005, 04:33 PM
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Senior Club Cobra Member
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 15,712
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Not Ranked
I'm with Tim, change the oil and DRIVE that puppy! Those u-joints and other "stuff" just been in storage, they not going to fly apart!
...now get out there and floor it! |
04-22-2005, 05:05 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Cobra Make, Engine: BDR 302 AFR 165
Posts: 363
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Not Ranked
Drain the gas and oil. add fresh fluids and fire it up. I fixed a 72 vette small block that had set for 6 years and suprisingly it didn't take a whole lot to get it going. fluids and a good battery. Consider it a work in progress. use it first and fix the immediate issues. enjoy |
04-22-2005, 06:54 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Pine City,
NY
Cobra Make, Engine: Superformance MKIII #887, drive it a lot!
Posts: 692
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Not Ranked
Hi, Mike
Well, you HAVE to show us a couple of "before" photos of the v*tte now that you've told us about your new project!
Just checked out your gallery. NICE photos of the Cobra with your new mods (Goodyears, accusump). Looking good!!!
take care,
Jim Kellogg
Elmira, NY
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